Brazil Moves Closer to Legalizing Casinos and Betting Activities
In a significant move, Brazil’s Senate is preparing to cast its vote on a bill that could reshape the country’s gaming landscape, marking a major step toward Brazil casino legalization. The proposal, which has already cleared the Chamber of Deputies, aims to bring a comprehensive regulatory framework to legalized gambling activities, including casinos, bingo halls, horserace betting, and even jogo do bicho—a traditional, lottery-style game deeply rooted in Brazilian culture.
The bill concerns PL 2.234/2022, a measure seeking to legalize and regulate a broad spectrum of gaming activities. It details licensing procedures, designated locations, and financial thresholds for operators seeking entry into the market. Under the proposed plan, São Paulo could become home to up to three integrated casino resorts, reflecting its prominence as a tourism hub.
Should this legislation pass, it would mark a major turning point for Brazil’s gambling industry. Permanent bingo venues would be permitted across municipalities, with each city allowed one hall for every 150,000 residents. Bingo and videobingo operations would require a minimum capital investment of R$10 million, granted a license valid for 25 years, with renewal options. The same licensing regime would apply to jogo do bicho operators, with a cap of one license per 700,000 residents.
Horseracing organizations would gain the ability to run bingo and videobingo games within their venues, fostering synergy between traditional racing and gaming.
The bill also envisions the development of luxury integrated casino resorts in prime tourism locations, each featuring a hotel with at least 100 rooms, diverse dining options, cultural venues, and dedicated gaming areas. Interestingly, the law would limit to one casino per state, but certain states—São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas, and Pará—could see two or three casinos, reflecting their larger populations and economic influence.
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While the push for land-based casino legalization has been ongoing, it faces resistance within Brazil’s political arena. Despite this, the momentum persists, and the bill’s progression signals a potential shift in the country’s gaming policies.
Presently, Brazil’s gambling laws are a patchwork. Since January 2024, fixed-odds sports betting has been legal, with licensed operators offering both online and brick-and-mortar services under the oversight of the Ministry of Finance. However, traditional casino games, slot machines, bingo halls, and jogo do bicho remain illegal—no legislation has yet authorized these activities. Additionally, lotteries are regulated at both federal and state levels, and online gaming beyond fixed-odds betting, such as poker, table games, or slots, exists in a legal gray area, lacking clear licensing pathways. Brazil casino legalization
